The New Zealand team, which is struggling with injuries, has suffered a major setback before the three-match T20 series against Australia. The team’s two star players Matt Henry and Tim Seifert are out of the series. Henry has suffered hip pain after the South Africa series and needs a short period of rest to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Meanwhile, Tim Seifert has been dropped from the squad due to an injury he sustained during training for Northern Districts at the beginning of the week. Seifert was recently seen playing during the T20I series against Pakistan. Ben Sears and Will Young have got a chance as replacements for these two.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said he was confident that both players would improve rapidly ahead of important series and events. He said, it is natural for Matt to be disappointed, but the break for the T20Is will ensure that he is fully fit and ready for the Test against Australia later this month.

We are disappointed for Tim who has performed brilliantly in recent series and is an important part of the squad. We hope he makes a speedy recovery ahead of the crucial phase of T20I cricket for the team. The New Zealand T20 squad will gather in Wellington on Sunday and Monday before the first T20 match against Australia at Sky Stadium on Wednesday. The second and third T20 matches will be held on February 23 and 25 respectively at Eden Park, Auckland.

New Zealand’s updated squad for T20I series against Australia

Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Trent Boult (for last two matches), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, Adam Milne, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (for first match).